MPC Theatre dominates budget meeting

Monterey Peninsula College President Walter Tribley continued Wednesday to outline the budget cuts he believes need to be made to tackle a $2.5 million deficit.

He spoke at a much-anticipated special meeting of the board of trustees, where supporters of the Theater Arts Department showed up in full force to plead against the planned cuts.

The nearly four-hour meeting began with a presentation by college administrators of MPC's financial situation and how it got where it is. They said the state now wants community colleges to focus on training, which leaves no room for lifelong learners — once a sizable portion of MPC's student population.

The college is spending $2.5 million a year more than it brings in, a gap Tribley has said he wants to bridge in one year.

On Wednesday, he outlined $1.8 million in cuts that he hopes to achieve through restructuring departments or union negotiations. For instance, administrators are negotiating a $500,000 reduction to employees' medical benefits. Tribley also is proposing to restructure the school's tutoring centers, for a savings of about $97,000, and other support positions, for savings of about $182,000.

Tribley explained a compromise he reached with the Theater Arts Department, which initially had been told it would lose $500,000 of its budget — nearly 50 percent.

The compromise will let two of the people originally slated to lose their jobs to stay on, which will allow for continued productions, albeit at a smaller scale. The college will end up saving about $345,000.

About 48 people talked during public comment, most of them expressing their support for the department and saying how it has had an impact on their lives. There were current students, former students and business owners. The children of the late Morgan Stock, founder of the drama department, made an appearance.

Gary Bolen, chairman of the department, announced an advisory committee had been formed to help with the transition. He deplored the way the announcement of cuts was made, which left no time to apply for grants or to try to come up with other solutions.

Several speakers urged trustees to spread the cuts over two years to give the department more time to regroup. These cost-cutting measures will end up costing more in the end, many warned.

A handful of speakers addressed the board regarding other proposed cuts. Two specialists in business skills are on the chopping block, and several staff members spoke in support of keeping those positions.

Loren Walsh, president of the classified employees union, said the continued decline in nighttime personnel was putting the college campus in peril.

Kathleen Rozman, a learning disability specialist, said it made no sense to take money away from the tutoring department when the state is demanding colleges increase support for struggling students.

No decisions were scheduled to be made, but by the end of the meeting, trustees signaled which way they are going. They talked about their obligation to make sure the college is on strong financial footing and of having their hands tied by the Legislature.

Trustee Margaret-Anne Coppernoll said Tribley was being very courageous for doing something that was very difficult.

"He probably goes home some nights and cries with his wine or his beer," she said.

"This is not a fight — we're on your side," said trustee Loren Steck. He urged everyone to write letters to lawmakers so they would change regulations and make room for lifelong learners to return to MPC.

After the meeting was over, Tribley told The Herald he is still looking for ways to cut $2.5 million for next year's budget, but he expects no other announcements will be made until he reaches agreements with the unions.